MV Origin Cruises In The Galapagos

8 Day A Cruise Overview (Southern Central Cruise)

Discover the endemic wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty of the Galapagos on this 7-night cruise through the Southern Central islands. Go snorkeling at the sunken crater of Devil’s Crown, hike across the moon-like landscapes of Bartolome Island and witness all three species of boobies and both frigatebird species at Punta Pitt. The Southern Central Cruise (Itinerary A) can easily be combined with the Northern Western Cruise (Itinerary B) for a comprehensive 14-night itinerary or guests have the option of disembarking on the Saturday in Baltra for a shorter 6-night cruise.

• See departure dates below (dates and rates tab)
• Starting at $7,650 per person

Day 1 - Arrival & Frigatebird Hill

Fly to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island where you will be transfered to the Origin. After a welcome briefing and safety drill, meet your fellow trav-elers while enjoying a delicious buffet lunch. 

In the afternoon, we’ll travel by bus to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill), which is one of only two sites where you can see nesting colonies of both great and magnificent frigatebirds, together with lava lizards and the San Cristobal mockingbird. Enjoy a short walk to Punta Carola to soak up the scenic views before returning to the Origin for the Captain’s welcome party and dinner.

Day 2 - Punta Pitt & Cerro Brujo

Begin the day with an excursion to Punta Pitt, a striking tuff formation that provides a nesting site for all three types of boobies – blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca - as well as both frigatebird species, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels, shearwaters and brown pelicans.  It’s considered one of the best birdwatching destinations in the Galapagos, as well as hosting a boisterous colony of sea lions that you can get up close to while snorkeling. 

After lunch onboard the Origin, we’ll continue to Cerro Brujo, a magnificent white coral beach that has superb views and excellent birdwatching opportunities. Enjoy a stroll along the beach, go swimming with sea lions or grab one of the kayaks or stand-up paddle boards to explore the coast at your leisure. You will also have the option of a zodiac ride through The Cathedral cave before returning to the Origin for dinner. 

Day 3 - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

After breakfast on board, we’ll disembark at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, which boasts the greatest number of endemic species in the archipelago. You’ll be greeted by a noisy colony of sea lions and curious mockingbirds while blue-footed boobies strut to impress potential mates. If you’re visiting between April to December, you’ll also get the opportunity to see the wild mating ritual of the waved albatross, together with Nazca boobies, Darwin’s finches, red-billed tropicbirds and Galapagos hawks. As we walk to a dramatic ocean blow hole, keep an eye out for a unique species of marine iguana that features traces of red and green colorings, as well as sally light-foot crabs scuttling along the shoreline. 

In the afternoon we’ll disembark at Gardner Bay, which is inhabited by a large colony of sea lions. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach while keeping an eye out for Galapagos hawks, Darwin’s finches and Hood mockingbirds. You may opt to go swimming with the playful sea lions or explore the bay islets by kayak, then embark on a zodiac ride to explore the surrounding caves and go snorkeling to discover the incredible underwater life near Tortuga Rock.

Day 4 - Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay

Begin the day with an excursion to Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island where an ol-ive-sand beach provides a home for sea lions, lava herons, yellow-crowned night her-ons, blue-footed boobies and penguins. Follow your naturalist guide along the trail that leads to a brackish lagoon where Bahama ducks, common stilts, Galapagos fly-catchers, yellow warblers and greater flamingos wade in the shallows. The trail leads past unique Galapagos vegetation, including morning glory, cut-leaf daisies, black, red and white mangroves, as well as palo verde and scalesia, before arriving at a beach where sea turtles lay their eggs. You’ll then have the opportunity to go snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, a spectacular sunken crater that’s colonized by an incredible array of colorful fish, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles and spotted eagle rays. 

After lunch on board the Origin, we’ll discover the human history of the Galapagos Islands at Post Office Bay where a barrel was constructed in the late 18th Century to serve as a makeshift post box for English whalers.  Visitors are invited to leave a post card for friends and family back home, as well as pick up any mail addressed to their home area. Later in the afternoon, we’ll embark on a zodiac ride near Baroness Point to search for sea turtles and rays before returning to the Origin for dinner.

Day 5 - Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast on board, we’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, which serves as the social heart of the Galapagos. We’ll travel by bus into the high-lands, passing through all seven vegetation zones found in the archipelago, and stop at a tortoise reserve where you can see these giant creatures in their natural habitat. We’ll also visit the largest lava tubes in the archipelago and a pair of craters known as Los Gemelos (The Twins). 

We’ll return to the Origin for lunch on board, then visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station) to get up close to giant Ga-lapagos tortoises at various stages of life and learn about the scientific research being conducted here. Visit the new exhibit honoring Lonesome George, a Galapagos tor-toise who became an icon of conservation as the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Is-land. Take time to explore Puerto Ayora and its shops before returning to the Origin for dinner or opting to stay in town and dine at one of the restaurants. 

Day 6 - Sombrero Chino & Bartolome Island

Begin the day with an excursion to Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat), a small island that’s located just off the southern tip of Santiago. You’ll be greeted by a colony of sea lions before following a trail that leads through its dramatic landscape of volcanic rubble, cracked lava formations and tubes. Spot marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers, then go snorkeling at a site that’s popular with Galapagos penguins. 

After lunch on board, we’ll disembark on Bartolome Island to climb the wooden staircase that leads to the summit of a dormant volcano, passing through a spectacular landscape of lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. Soak up the panoramic view across the island from the top, which stretch all the way to the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. The crystal clear water surrounding Bartolome Island is ideal for snorkeling, with a wide variety of tropical fish, white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins spotted, or you can opt to explore the rocky shoreline by zodiac. 

Day 7 - South Plaza & North Seymour

Begin the day with a visit to South Plaza, a small geological uplift that features tall cliffs where swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds nest. Follow the trail that leads through Opuntia (prickly pear) and sesuvium vegetation, with land iguanas often seen feeding on the cactus leaves. Then come face-to-face with a colony of bachelor sea lions that can be seen battling over their beach territory and go snorkeling in the wildlife-rich surrounding waters. 

After lunch on board, we’ll embark on an excursion to North Seymour Island to spot swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and endemic land iguanas. You’ll have the opportunity to see the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the archipelago and witness sea lions body surfing the northern swells.  Then return to the Origin for the Captain’s farewell cocktail party and dinner, which will be followed by a slide show presentation of your time in the Galapagos.

Day 8 - San Cristobal Island Interpretation Center & Departure

Begin your final morning in the Galapagos with a visit to the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island to gain a comprehensive insight into the natural and human his-tory of the islands. It’s then time to say goodbye to your crew as you head to the air-port for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. 

8 Day B Cruise Overview (North Western Cruise)

Experience the wildlife-rich ecosystems and volcanic landscapes of the Northern and Western Galapagos Islands during this action-packed 7-night cruise. Go snorkeling with penguins and sea turtles at Punta Vicente Roca, encounter the rich birdlife of Genovesa Island and explore the rugged coastlines by kayak, stand-up paddle board and zodiac. The Northern Western Cruise (Itinerary B) can easily be combined with the Southern Central Cruise (Itinerary A) for a comprehensive 14-night itinerary or guests have the option of disembarking on the Saturday in Baltra for a shorter 6-night cruise.

Day 1 - Arrival, Welcome and Cerro Colorado 

Fly to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island where you will be transferred to the Origin. After a welcome briefing and safety drill, meet your fellow travelers while enjoying a buffet lunch on board.

In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Cerro Colorado to visit the Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo (La Galapaguera) where a giant tortoise breeding program has been established by the national park. Learn about the origin and evolution of giant tortoises, as well as the threats to their survival, then follow the trail that leads around the center to spot San Cristobal mockingbirds and Calandrinia plants, both of which are endemic to the island. Return to the Origin for the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and a delicious dinner prepared by your chefs.

Day 2 - El Barranco & Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)

We’ll be spending the entire day on Genovesa Island, which is considered one of the best places in the archipelago for birdwatching. Land at Prince Philip’s Steps where red-footed boobies can be seen nesting in the palo santo trees and storm petrels gather in the open lava field, with the site offering occasional sightings of the elusive short-eared owl. 

Return to the Origin for a BBQ lunch on the sun deck before opting to explore the cliffs by zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddle board. Keep an eye out for red-billed tropicbirds hiding in the crevices or venture below the water’s surface on a snorkeling excursion. We’ll then land at the coral sand beach of Darwin Bay where swallow-tailed and lava gulls can often be seen gathering near the tidal pools. Follow your naturalist guide through a forest of Opuntia cactus and mangroves where male great frigatebirds can sometimes be seen inflating their red-throated pouches. Relax on the beach and go swimming with the resident sea lions before returning to the yacht for dinner. 

Day 3 - Las Bachas Beach & Cerro Dragon

After breakfast on board, we’ll visit Las Bachas Beach on the northern side of Santa Cruz Island to explore its pristine white sands. Go walking to the interior lagoons where greater flamingos reside, then opt to go snorkeling from the beach to discover the rich marine life. 

After lunch on board the Origin, we’ll make an afternoon excursion to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), which boasts spectacular views of the bay and the island blanketed in Opuntia cactus, palo santo and muyuyo (Cordia letea). Keep an eye out for Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers and Audubon shearwaters along the trail, together with endemic land iguanas, then see pink flamingos, pintail ducks and sandpipers at the saltwater lagoon. 

Day 4 - Punta Vicente Roca & Urbina Bay

This morning we’ll explore Punta Vicente Roca by zodiac, taking in the magnificent views of the tuff walls and entering into a wave-sculpted cave. Go snorkeling alongside penguins and sea turtles before sailing through the Bolivar Channel while enjoying lunch on board. Whales and dolphins can often be seen riding the bow wave, together with the occasional mola mola sunfish. 
In the afternoon we’ll disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island where the coastal seabed was exposed during a volcanic uplift in 1954. Glimpse the remnants of giant coral skeletons while keeping an eye out for large and colorful Galapagos land iguanas, as well as marine iguanas, brown pelicans and the occasional giant tortoise. Return to the Origin for dinner and a night stargazing at the galaxy above. 

Day 5 - Punta Espinoza & Tagus Cove

Begin the day with an excursion to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, which is the youngest and most pristine in the archipelago, with no introduced animals. It features recent lava flows stretching around the coast and sea lion harems guarded by resident bulls. Punta Espinoza is also home to the largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galapagos, which can be seen basking in the sun along the rugged shores. Go snorkeling with the sea turtles that frequent the area before returning to the Origin for lunch. 

In the afternoon we’ll go ashore at Tagus Cove, which was once a favorite anchorage for pirates and whalers, with graffiti dating back to the 1800s adorning the rock cliffs. Join your naturalist guide on an uphill hike that leads to a saltwater lagoon, as well as offering spectacular views of the ocean, lava fields and volcanic formations. Explore the secluded cove by kayak or stand-up paddle board as you search for Galapagos penguins, boobies and pelicans, then return to the yacht for dinner as we cross the Equator for the last time. 

Day 6 - Rabida Island & Black Turtle Cove

After breakfast on board, we’ll disembark on Rabida Island, which is considered the geographic center of the Galapagos due to the diversification of its volcanic rocks. Its beach exhibits a dark red color that results from the high iron content in the volcanic stones. Follow your naturalist guide on a trail that leads to a saltwater lagoon that’s frequented by greater flamingos while keeping an eye out for marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and Darwin’s finches. 

In the afternoon, don’t miss the opportunity to go snorkeling with sea lions and rays before embarking on a zodiac excursion through the mangrove-lined inlets of Black Turtle Cove. Pairs of mating sea turtles can often be spotted between September and February, together with white-tipped reef sharks and golden cow-nosed rays. Then return to the vessel for the Captain’s Farewell cocktail party and dinner, as well as a special slideshow presentation by your guides.

Day 7 - Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

After breakfast on board, we’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, which serves as the social heart of the Galapagos. We’ll travel by bus into the highlands, passing through all seven vegetation zones found in the archipelago, and stop at a tortoise reserve where you can see these giant creatures in their natural habitat. We’ll also visit the largest lava tubes in the archipelago and a pair of craters known as Los Gemelos (The Twins). 

We’ll return to the Origin for lunch on board, then visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station) to get up close to giant Galapagos tortoises at various stages of life and learn about the scientific research being conducted here. Visit the new exhibit honoring Lonesome George, a Galapagos tortoise who became an icon of conservation as the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Island. Take time to explore Puerto Ayora and its shops before returning to the Origin for dinner or opt to stay in town and dine at one of the restaurants. 

Day 8 - San Cristobal Interpretation Center & Departure

Begin your final morning in the Galapagos with a visit to the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island to gain a comprehensive insight into the natural and human history of the islands. It’s then time to say goodbye to your crew as you head to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
 

Galapagos Cruise Extensions

We have amazing Ecuador mainland extensions! Or, while you are so close, think about visiting Machu Picchu! You'll save when packaging everything with us.

Here are some ideas:

2-3 Day Extensions

A few days in the Amazon Rainforest
Visit the Ecuadorian Andes & Cotopaxi
Stay at traditional Ecuadorian haciendas

4+ Day Extensions

Explore Machu Picchu in Peru
La Selva Jungle Lodge Experience (Galapagos cruise guest favorite)
Active Ecuador Multisport Mainland Tour